Staying Organized at Nationals

For those of you who know me closely, you know I am not always the most organized person. With the help of Mama Wanous, I always create a spreadsheet for long pageant weeks so I know what to grab between appearances. Below are examples of my 2012 and 2013 wardrobe spreadsheets. Now that I have done this a few times I don’t have to be quite as detailed but last year at nationals I had many columns for shoes, jewelry, and needed items like autograph cards or snacks if I was on the go during a meal time. Doing this just makes transitioning between events easy and quick. Sometimes you may only have 15 minutes to eat lunch, change clothes and be back in the lobby ready for head count. For these moments, you will thank me for this spreadsheet technique.

But the spreadsheet is not the only organizational tool that will help you stay calm. First, bring a garment rack with you to nationals! The closets are tiny and you will safe yourself a big headache by bringing an extra place to hang dresses. I also suggest organizing your wardrobe by day. You can make your spreadsheet more detailed than mine and separate each event by day. For example, I would take one large garment bag and label it “Monday”. Inside I would put the clothes I need for that day. Last year on Monday I needed an arrival outfit, unpacking outfit, going to family dinner dress, and my orientation dress. I put all these items in the bag and zipped it up. Then did the same thing for each day of the week. I had my accessories in a clear jewelry bag with multiple zip pockets that I hung on my garment rack next to my garment bags so I could easy check my spreadsheet and find the coordinating jewelry. I had all my shoes laid out around the perimeter of the room so I didn’t have to dig through a big clumsy bag. Doing these small simple things will save you time and stress in a big way. So, sit down with our official handbook schedule and figure out every single thing you will be doing on each day during competition week and start making a plan. I suggest bringing a handful of extra dresses just in case our agenda changes or you have an unexpected outing.


Other tips:
- Bring a plastic tablecloth to hang in your shower if you plan on spray tanning in your room.
- Bring a natural sleep aid to help quiet your mind after long days. Get as much sleep as possible!
- Bring small snacks you can throw in your bag and eat throughout rehearsals and outings.
- Bring a Tide to-go stick!
- Bring a lint roller.
- Always keep eyelash glue in your purse.
- Drink tons of water!
- Take a natural diuretic three days before finals night to get your skin toned and firm for stage.
- Take lots of pictures. You will want to remember this week forever.
- Smile and have fun!!


CHICAGO 2012

	Event	Outfit	Shoes	Jewels/Other
Sat	MRS Finals	Black Peplum (Brie)	Black Pump	Rhinestone Balls and Bracelete
Mon	Arrival	Coral Dress	Nude	Rose Gold
	Orientation 8pm	Cream Dress - Bri's	Strappy Nude	4 stone cream
Tues	Breakfast / sash	Blue BEBE Dress	Nude	Blue Cuff/gold metal dangle
	Downtown Chicago Zoo	Lace Back Dress	Bling Bootie	Clear Gem Stone Necklace
	Boys & Girls Club	Same
	Dinner - Group Photo	Black  gown	Stripper	Rhinestones/Spanx
	Inspiration Talk-cocktail	Same
Wed	Breakfast / sash	Purple Dress Bri's	Purple	Bri's jewels
	Rehearsal	Green Sequin dress	Nude Strap	gold earrings and bracelete cuff
	Lunch
	Rehearsal	Red Cache Dress	Red Earrings	Red Ruffles
	Princess Ball - Crown & Sash	New Pink Princess from Glitz	Junos	Big Rhinestones
	Dinner -	Besty Johnson - White flower	Black Pump	Forever 21 Clip on Earrings and cuff
	Rehearsal	same
Thurs	Breakfast / sash	Cream & gold foil dress	Gold Earrings	Nude Strappy
	Private Interviews	White Peplum w/Seed Beads	Nude Strap	PIN, pearl AB Niila earrings
	Lunch
Judges	Rehearsal	Black Corronation	Nudes	Big Black rhinestones
	Teen Preliminaries	Red gown	Junos	Dangle ALDO Earrings
Fri	Breakfast / sash	Wht Blouse & Pleated blue skirt	Strappy Nude	Forever 21 cuff and clip on earrings
Judges	Reheasal	Aqua beaded Dress	Junos	Aqua Brie Earrings
	Lunch	Water Color	Juno	Dark metal colored stone earrings
Judges	Rehearsal	Gold Sequins	Juno or Nude	Gold Cuff Gold earrings
	Miss Prelimaries
Sat	Breakfast / sash
Judges	Reheasal	Cream & Gold Fun Fashion
	Lunch	Red Ruffle with Black Pencil
Judges	Rehearsal	Pink Feather Cocktail
	Finals
	Coronation Ball	???

CHICAGO 2013

Event	Clothes
Car ride	Black Titlewear warm-up set
Mrs, Prelims Mrs. Finals	White Rhinestone top dress Purple Fringe Gown
Orientation	Orange Dress
Chicago Day	Purple jumpsuit
Dinner	White Winning Gown
Interview	White ruffle dress
Hospital	Blue belted dress
Autograph/pre-prelims	Red sequin back
Miss Prelims stage	Question: Black Mermaid Awards: Pink FF Ruffle gown
Teen prelims	Black with big shoulders
Record speech, rehearsals	Beaded bottom white
Pre-finals	Gold Gown
Crowning	Question: Purple Fringe Gowns Crowning: custom red

Other clothes to bring for out and about/back-ups:

Cocktails:
Feather pink
Blue sequins
Black sequin swirl
Purple sequins

Sundresses:
Bright Flowery
Thailand white
Thailand blue

Shoes:
Strappy nude
Old strappy nude back ups
Black gold heel
Fake Louies
Junos
8” Strippers

---

When you are done creating your spreadsheet, print it out, clip it to a pants hanger, and hang it on the end of your garment rack for easy access and visibility.

I hope this helps!

Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012